NOTE2: A 3rd-party PS/2-USB adapter will not work.
Turn off your antivirus software. Antivirus software when set to automatically scan for viruses, may have a default option to protect instant messenger programs set to on. This service starts with windows on boot up and could be causing the problem. Also try using a different keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™.
YOU MAY WANT TO USE THE USB CONNECTION IF:
- If you do not wish to shut off your computer to connect or disconnect the X-Arcade™ Tankstick from the PS/2 ports. This is especially true when you want to use the X-Arcade™ Tankstick multiple devices.
- If you do not wish to have a keyboard plugged into the X-Arcade™ Tankstick, as the X-Arcade™ Tankstick will not work in a PS/2 keyboard port without having a keyboard plugged into it. (Keep in mind that you must still have a keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™ Tankstick to program it.)
- If you want to use multiple X-Arcades™ on the same computer., You can connect one X-Arcade™ Tankstick into the PS/2 ports, and plug a second one into the USB ports. You cannot plug one X-Arcade™ Tankstick into another (daisy-chain). You will also need to reprogram the 2nd X-Arcade™ Tankstick to different buttons/directions.
YOU MUST USE THE USB CONNECTION/ADAPTER IF:
NOTE: The X-Arcade™ will not work in a PS/2 keyboard port without having a PS/2 keyboard plugged into it.
- If you have a Mac.
- If your desktop PC does not have a PS/2 ports.
- If you don't have a wired PS/2 keyboard.
- If you have a wireless keyboard, or keyboard/mouse receiver.
- If you have a laptop with no PS/2 ports, or you do not wish to use an external keyboard to use the X-Arcade™ on your laptop.
- Using the PS/2 connection you get "keyboard error" when starting your PC with the X-Arcade™ connected, you either do not have a keyboard connected to the X-Arcade™, or your computer's PS/2 keyboard port does not supply enough power to run the X-Arcade™ on your PS/2 port.
- If using the PS/2 keyboard connection your PC speaker beeps when you press buttons or directions on the X-Arcade™your computer's PS/2 keyboard port does not supply enough power to run the X-Arcade™ on your PS/2 keyboard port.
- Using the PS/2 connection you notice that you cannot get a response by pressing one button, but if you press two buttons at once it types a single letter, your computer's PS/2 keyboard port does not supply enough power to run the X-Arcade™ on your PS/2 port.
- Using the PS/2 connection your keyboard is double-typing letters or characters, or if the Caps Lock or Num Lock comes on by themselves, Shift or Ctrl buttons get stuck, or menus are highlighted by themselves.
- If you cannot get into programming mode (the light comes back on by itself).
The symptoms listed above happen on a small percentage of computers. If you have these symptoms that basically means that your PS/2 ports are not supplying enough power to run the X-Arcade™. There is no set standard for power output from a motherboard's PS/2 ports like there is on VGA, Serial, and USB ports. The only fix therefore would be to use the USB connection instead.
The USB connection works the same way as the PS/2 connection the X-Arcade™ is simply seen as a USB keyboard to your computer. With it, you have the choice to use a PS/2 keyboard plugged into the back of the X-Arcade™, or keep the PS/2 keyboard plugged into the PS/2 keyboard port. Keep in mind though, to reprogram the X-Arcade™ you will need a PS/2 keyboard plugged into it.
The only USB adapter that will work with the X-Arcade is the one made for it. A standard PS/2-USB adapter will not work. We no longer sell the USB adapter, but do now sell a USB PCB Upgrade Kit for the same price found here.